Early government policy resulted in Aboriginal people being removed from their traditional lands. As a result, it was difficult for people to hunt, gather food, perform ceremonies, or take care of watering holes on their land.
Introduced resources, especially food, also drew people to cattle stations, government settlements and missions. It was in these places that Aboriginal people were exposed to diseases such as measles, influenza, whooping cough, diphtheria, leprosy and tuberculosis.
When people were employed, they were paid for their labour with rations. People's eating habits changed dramatically. Rations were not necessarily nutritiously adequate in either quality or quantity.
Flour, sugar and rice and some tinned or salted meats were the staple ration foods at settlements and missions. These were supplemented irregularly by fruit and vegetables from local gardens. Beef and lamb were available in pastoral areas. Seafoods were harvested at the coastal settlements. Sugar was eaten in large quantities.
At most missions and settlements, rations were distributed three times per day before meal times. At cattle stations, rations were generally distributed daily.
Most people were encouraged to rely on traditional food at the weekends, although rations were sometimes available to those who attended church services. Flour replaced the traditional staple grains which had been used in making damper.
When the government policy of 'assimilation' was adopted officially in 1961, Aboriginal people were further encouraged to settle on reserves and missions. People became dependent on welfare handouts and allowances which were well below award wages.
During the 'assimilationist years', communal feeding was established in order to improve Aboriginal people's nutrition. Compared with other Australian diets at the time, the Aboriginal diet included more flour, bread and meat and less fruit, vegetables and dairy products.
Many settlements and missions lacked the equipment, staff and regular transport to provide a comprehensive, nutritious and hygienic communal feeding program. Only certain groups (employees, school children, infants and mothers) tended to receive cooked meals; others received dry rations to prepare back in camp.
During July 1965 to March 1966, the Arbitration Commission granted equal wages to Aboriginal pastoral workers. The cattle industry responded by phasing out Aboriginal labour and driving Aboriginal communities progressively off the properties which were their traditional lands.
In 1972 the Whitlam Government brought in the policy of 'self-determination'. Community councils were established to administer settlements. The opportunity was also provided for community ownership or management of settlement retail stores.
Many Aboriginal people preferred not to take up the communal feeding option. They spent 'training allowances' at stores that grew out of former ration depots at this time.
Stores became more common. Aboriginal people had little experience of the range of western foods available in major towns. Community stores stocked a very limited range of items. Popular foods were tinned meat, tinned fruit, biscuits, confectionary and jam as a supplement to tea, flour, sugar, and tobacco. Perishable foods were only available a few days per week.
Early stores were established in small, unsuitable premises. They had inadequate facilities for the storage of bulk food supplies, particularly perishable items. Today, although facilities have improved, there is still a limited variety of food and perishable items such as dairy foods in many stores. Fruit and vegetables are often in short supply.
Since colonisation Aboriginal people have experienced deep loss on many levels. Part of that loss has been control over their food supply and diet. Many people now find themselves in a system which is difficult to understand and influence.
Improving nutritional status It is clear that transition from traditional diet and meal patterns to 'westernised' food habits has heralded major nutritional problems for Aboriginal Australians.... Contemporary Aborigines are not generally in a position to, and may not wish to resume traditional hunter-gatherer lifestyle. However, Aboriginal people are demonstrating that the beneficial qualities of hunter-gather diet and meal patterns can be incorporated with increased physical activity into contemporary 'western' lifestyle. The resultant improvements in nutritional status and in some risk factors for non-communicable disorders have important implications for public health.
Lee 1995:43 in Background Papers
to the Northern Territory Food and Nutrition Policy, Volume IV